Re: I ran across this strange modernistic Data General ...odd computer

[Zane Healy]

Thank you Bruce, I took quick look through, and will need to go back and read up on the hardware bits, Chapter 4 looks like it goes into the stuff I’m curious about.  I’m normally a software guy, but this is one case, where the hardware is of more interest.

Thanks,
Zane




> On May 21, 2018, at 12:22 PM, Bruce Ray <Bruce at Wild-Hare.com> wrote:
> 
> G'day Zane -
> 
> 
> I have placed Desktop Generation information for you at:
> www.NovasAreForever.org/tmp/014-000751-00__The_Desktop_Generation__1983-Jul.01.pdf
> 
> 
> -----
> 
> Bruce Ray
> Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
> Boulder, Colorado USA
> bkr at WildHareComputers.com
> 
> ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
> 
> 
> -----
> 
> Bruce Ray
> Wild Hare Computer Systems, Inc.
> Boulder, Colorado USA
> bkr at WildHareComputers.com
> 
> ...preserving the Data General legacy: www.NovasAreForever.org
> 
> On 5/20/2018 6:37 PM, Zane Healy via cctalk wrote:
>> On May 20, 2018, at 5:16 PM, Bruce Ray via cctalk <cctalk at classiccmp.org> wrote:
>>> 
>>> G'day Ed -
>>> 
>>> That picture was taken from our web site - specifically a photo of a Data General Desktop Generation Model 10 beside a (1983) newsletter announcing the DG/10's introduction.   The computer system was announced in 1983 in DG's effort to blunt the effect of the "microcomputer revolution" on Data General's proprietary systems' sales.  It was based on a 16-bit microEclipse processor contained in a small, modular, consumer-oriented (desktop) form factor that ran DG operating systems and software.  However, one version also contained an Intel 8086 co-processor that could run newfangled MS-DOS software, thereby targeting the pesky, soon-to-die microcomputer market.  ;-)
>>> 
>>> The system was designed around modules that could be plugged together which simplified system configuration and expansion.  It was very reliable (except for some of the OEM disk drives used) but disk and tape operations were very slow due to its serial I/O data bus design.
>>> 
>>> The Desktop Generation series was very popular with many DG users and OEMs worldwide but was overshadowed by the factors that affected the traditional minicomputer manufacturers in the mid-1980s.
>>> 
>>> And "yes", information does exist for these systems.  Do you have pictures of your system?
>>> 
>>> 
>>> Bruce
>> It sounds like a fascinating hardware design, and pretty much one I’ve long dreamed of.  It’s interesting to know that DG made such a system.  Are any manuals for it online?
>> Zane